What is a Community Impact Statement?

A Community Impact Statement (CIS) is a requirement of the Queensland Liquor Act. The OLGR and the Commissioner must give weight to how a Liquor Licence and the sale/service of liquor may impact the community as a whole.

The Community Impact Statement is your response to how the approval of your liquor license may impact the community.

A Community Impact Statement is required for liquor license applications.

Why does my business need to complete a Liquor Licensing CIS?

For this reason, new liquor license applications are required to provide a Community Impact Statement. There are two types of Community Impact Statements (CIS): Standard CIS and Full CIS.

You are able to apply to waive the requirements for the CIS when the application is for low-risk premises i.e. café or restaurant. This assessment on whether the CIS is waived is up to the Commissioner.

Standard Community Impact Statement

A Standard CIS needs to demonstrate that the applicant has considered a range of matters of how the operation of the licenced venue will impact on the community.

Such considerations include:

• size and layout,
• hours of operation,
• how many other licenced premises are in close proximity,
• any sensitive facilities i.e. Schools are Day Care within 200m, and
• any previous trading history of the applicant.

Full Community Impact Statement

If your application is for a commercial hotel or nightclub you will be required to undertake the more in-depth full Community Impact Statement (CIS).

The full CIS drills down further to gain a better understanding of the community which services the venue, demographic analysis is undertaken to consider social profile, local economic impacts of licenced venues, employment numbers and classifications and household ownership/renting analysis.

Information needs to be gathered from the Bureau of Statics, the Local Government Authority, and the Department of Local Government and Planning Forecasting Unit (PIFU).

Assessment of community risk, likely health and social impacts, location and number of sensitive venues, is also included within the CIS.

Community consultation with a minimum of 50 community members to gather feedback and views on the appropriateness of the venue must also be held.

Whilst a CIS may be considered onerous, it is a vital tool to allow the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) to assess the merits of the Liquor Licence Application.

What can delay my CIS application?

Any omissions or errors in your application, RAMP or CIS can lead to delays in the assessment of your liquor licensing application.

The RG Strategic team is experienced and knowledgeable in all forms of liquor licensing applications, Risk-Assessed Management Plans and Community Impact Statements. Our team ensures comprehensive and accurate applications and we review your application to ensure you get the license that meets your needs now and into the future.

Talk to us today about all your Community Impact Statement needs

Call us today on 07 5474 3873 for a free, no-obligation, discussion of your liquor licensing needs or send us a message below.